The Western drug known as xi-bai-ga-gua-na (西白噶瓜那) used in Emperor Kangxi's (康熙皇帝) court was actually the South American medicinal plant ipecacuanha. It was introduced to Europeans through a book published in the Netherlands in the 17th century. It's popularity in France as a secret remedy surged from 1672 Shortly before exclusive rights of sale were granted for its preparation. Subsequently, its recipe was incorporated into both French and English pharmacopoeias. The effectiveness of ipecacuanha caught the attention of French Catholic missions, leading to its provision to missionaries en route to the Far East. The French missionaries of the Society of Jesus and of the Society of Foreign Missions Paris, who were actively engaged in their country's overseas expansion activities, carried the drug from Paris to Beijing. Gerbillon, a French Jesuit, presented it to Emperor Kangxi between 1699 and 1704. Later, Portuguese merchants and Jesuits residing in Macau also presented it as a tribute to the court. According to the medical archives of the Qing palace, ipecacuanha was considered at least twice as a potential candidate for treating severe bloody dysentery, seemingly valued but infrequently used. The introduction of the drug into China was not prompted by any pressing need due to epidemics. A convergence of historical factors facilitated its journey across continents within three decades. Its limited utilization in the Qing court was determined by its material properties and the disease spectrum of its destination area.
Yiwei YAN (Sat,) studied this question.